LEFT-OVERS 



important factor in successful gardening. If 

 such an exposure is out of the question, aim 

 to make conditions as favorable as possible. 

 A closely boarded fence on the north side of 

 a garden affords excellent protection from 

 cold winds early in the season, and helps 

 greatly in keeping away frost in fall, when 

 many plants are maturing. 



Mention is made in the above paragraph 

 of good drainage. This is quite important. 

 If the soil of a garden is not well drained, 

 many kinds of vegetables cannot be grown 

 in it, and few will attain to even a partial 

 degree of success. Therefore see to it that 

 by ditching, or the use of tile, all surplus 

 water is properly disposed of. Much good 

 can be done to a heavy soil by adding to it 

 sharp, coarse sand, old mortar — anything 

 that will have a tendency to counteract the 

 heaviness resulting from undue retention of 

 water or a naturally too close character of 

 soil. If sand is obtainable, and your garden 

 is one in which clay predominates, use it in 

 generous quantities. You will find it as 

 beneficial as manure. Spread it over the 

 surface before plowing or spading, and work 

 it in thoroughly. A few seasons' application 

 will bring about a very marked change for 

 the better in any garden whose soil cannot 



107 



